The key issue in coronary heart disease is not a brief episode of discomfort, but the ongoing effect of gradually narrowed coronary arteries on the heart muscle’s blood supply.
Coronary heart disease refers to narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries that supply the heart, usually caused by atherosclerosis, resulting in insufficient blood supply to the heart muscle.
Its typical presentation is angina, with features such as:
Clinically, it is important to distinguish between:
Symptoms occur with activity and are relieved by rest; this is a relatively stable stage.
Symptoms suddenly worsen, last longer, or even occur at rest. This may indicate a myocardial infarction and requires urgent treatment.
The main focus in treating coronary heart disease is to improve blood supply and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
This may include antiplatelet drugs, lipid-lowering medicines such as statins, blood pressure medicines, and vasodilators. These are used to reduce the risk of blood clots and myocardial ischaemia.
Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose; quitting smoking; regular exercise; weight management; and stress control.
Such as coronary stenting or coronary artery bypass grafting. These are suitable for people with severe vessel narrowing or poorly controlled symptoms.
Regular review of blood pressure, blood lipids, heart function, and overall risk status.
Anyone already diagnosed should continue medication and follow-up care. Do not stop medication on your own or delay treatment.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), coronary heart disease is generally classified under Chest Bi syndrome and Heart Pain. The core issue is an imbalance involving deficiency at the root and excess in the manifestation.
Insufficient heart qi leads to weaker circulation.
Common signs include shortness of breath, fatigue, and poor exercise tolerance.
Insufficient warming and circulating force, often worse with cold or overexertion.
Common signs include chest tightness and sensitivity to cold.
Poor blood circulation.
Common signs include chest pressure or a fixed, localised discomfort.
Often associated with high cholesterol and metabolic imbalance.
This may affect vessel patency and blood supply.
Stress and mood changes affect the flow of qi and may trigger or worsen symptoms.
The focus of TCM support is to help regulate qi and blood flow, body constitution, and overall balance, rather than replace modern medical treatment for narrowed coronary arteries.
prime&naturals will assess the triggering situation, exercise tolerance, symptom features, and past medical history to identify the main factors behind the reduced blood supply.
Common patterns include:
Shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest tightness during activity.
Key focus: weak driving force plus poor blood flow.
More marked chest tightness, larger body build, and high cholesterol.
Key focus: metabolic imbalance and phlegm-turbidity affecting the vessels.
Cold intolerance and poor exercise tolerance.
Key focus: insufficient circulating force.
Symptoms become more obvious under stress.
Key focus: emotional strain affecting qi flow.
Long-term, chronic condition with reduced physical energy.
Key focus: reduced overall regulatory capacity.
The core of pattern differentiation is to identify:
In the management of coronary heart disease, our role is to support treatment within the framework of modern medical care, while helping to improve factors that affect circulation and overall stability.
Key goals include:
Treatment may include, depending on the individual:
This should be used alongside existing Western medical treatment.
After necessary cardiac assessment has been completed and acute risk has been ruled out, TCM support may be considered if the following are present:
Clinical priorities are:
However, urgent medical care is needed immediately if the following occur:
The core of coronary heart disease management is to first rule out acute risk, then carry out long-term adjustment. With proper medical care, and through overall regulation and lifestyle management, daily stability may be better maintained.
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